US 4,484,056 A · Method and apparatus for conveying at least one welding or soldering electrode to a work piece

Abstract

It is proposed that the supply movement of electrodes, especially micro-welding or micro-soldering electrodes takes place in a controlled fashion. For this purpose, PRES-value receivers (65, 67) are provided, which change the PRES-value of a relatively known value for the action of the electrode with regard to the work piece, such as the geometric position, if need be additionally the supply pressure, on its output side into an electrical signal, whereby the electrode position is already detected before contacting the work piece. The working connection between positioner and a supply element (50) for the electrode (59) is therefore preferably realized by an electric motor (42), a gear wheel type threaded connecting rod (44, 46). As PRES-value receiver preferably a potentiometer (67) of known displacement/force characteristic is used which takes up a relative movement between electrode (59) and the reference system.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for conveying at least one welding or soldering electrode toward a workpiece comprising the steps of:

presetting a rated position signal corresponding to a desired electrode position relative to the workpiece;
measuring the actual electrode position and generating an actual position signal before the electrode reaches said workpiece;
forming a position control difference signal as a function of the difference between said rated position signal and said actual position signal;
conveying the electrode controlled by said position control difference signal toward said workpiece;
measuring the actual pressure between the workpiece and the electrode and generating a corresponding actual pressure signal;
providing a rated pressure signal according to a desired value of said pressure;
forming a pressure control difference signal as a function of the difference between said actual pressure signal and said rated pressure signal;
and
conveying the electrode controlled by said pressure control difference signal on the workpiece, after said actual position signal reaches said rated position signal at least to a predetermined amount.

6 more elements

A conveyor apparatus for conveying at least one welding or soldering electrode toward a workpiece comprising:

drive means for positioning said electrode, said drive means having a control input;
position measuring means for measuring the actual electrode position and for generating an actual electrode position signal at an output thereof before said electrode reaches said workpiece;
presetting means for generating a rated electrode position signal at an output thereof;
difference forming means, the inputs of said difference forming means being coupled to the outputs of said position measuring means and of said presetting means, the output of said difference forming means being coupled to said control input of said drive means;
and
a pressure measuring means for measuring the actual reaction pressure between said workpiece and said electrode, said pressure measuring means forming a pressure control difference signal as a function of the difference between said actual pressure signal and a rated pressure signal to convey the electrode controlled by said pressure controlled difference signal on the workpiece after said actual position signal reaches said rated position signal at least to a pre-determined amount.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for conveying at least one welding or soldering electrode to a work piece

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for conveying at least one welding or soldering electrode to a work piece

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12